West Virginia Football Faces Altitude and Crowd Noise Challenge in Utah

In just a few days, on October 2nd, 2025, the West Virginia Mountaineers football team will embark on their longest road trip of the season, traveling 1,738 miles to Provo, Utah to take on the BYU Cougars. This will be the third road game for the Mountaineers, who have already played at Ohio and Kansas earlier in the year.

The trip to Provo will present several unique challenges for the WVU squad. First and foremost, they will be facing the largest crowd noise test of the season at LaVell Edwards Stadium, which holds 63,470 fans - the largest capacity in the Big 12 conference. Head coach Rich Rodriguez has emphasized the importance of preparing his players for the deafening crowd, with daily practices to simulate the noise level.

Additionally, the high altitude of Provo, situated at 4,553 feet above sea level, will test the Mountaineers' endurance. Compared to their home field in Morgantown at just 961 feet, the thinner air in Utah will make it more challenging for the players to catch their breath. However, Rodriguez is no stranger to coaching at high elevations, having spent six years at the University of Arizona in the Pac-12.

The Cougars have historically been a formidable opponent at home, boasting a 70% win percentage at LaVell Edwards Stadium. They were 6-1 at home last season and are undefeated so far in 2025. The Mountaineers will need to silence the crowd early on with a strong opening drive and big plays to set the tone for the game.

Despite the daunting task ahead, the WVU players remain focused and confident. As wide receiver Justin Smith-Brown put it, "Football is football, so regardless of where we are or what it is, we just have to go out there and play."